Another Stop On Mike Nelson's Virtual Tour of San Diego
Although Cabrillo National Monument is the most visited National Park facility in the US, it is one of the better kept secrets to people who live in San Diego. It affords one of the most slendid views of metro San Diego -- especially during a Santa Ana condition. One of the things that I like about going to the monument is that it is a place where you can get away from the concrete jungle and just enjoy the breeze, the view and the tranquility.
You can click on any picture to see a bigger one.
Of course, the number one attraction of the monument is the historic lighthouse. The National Park Service has done a wonderful job in preserving this building. The rooms have been restored to appear pretty much as they were in the 1890's. At one time, you could take the stairs all the way up to the light tower... but not any more. And I'm sure it was for the safety of the guests. Every year, someone plants a small garden next to the lighthouse to complete the appearance. Nice touch! The lighthouse stands at about 460 feet above sealevel.
One of the problems that plagued the original lighthouse was the altitude. Fog and low clouds completely ruined its ability to alert ships since it wasn't visible from the sea. The Coast Guard operates a lighthouse complex just above sea level at the south end of Cabrillo Point. This picture was taken from above the Coast Guard facility and about 700 feet southwest of the old lighthouse. I don't remember ever looking at this view and not seeing it be picture-perfect. It makes even someone like me look like a pro. :)
The
statue commemorating Juan Cabrillo who is alleged to have been the first
European to reach San Diego has gone through several incarnations over the
years. Actually, we know almost nothing about him other than the fact that he
existed. The statue is located southeast of the Visitor Center and faces the
Center. The view from the statue is one of the best available. You can see
ALL of the San Diego bay. The view begins with the Navy submarine base, winds
past Shelter Island [with NAS North Island & Coronado on the other side],
Harbor Island, downtown San Diego, the Coronado Bay Bridge (Picture on the
right) and beyond. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Cuyamaca &
Laguna Mountains [about 50 miles away].
The
Visitor Center is on the northernmost part of the monument. It has patios and
the north and east sides which offer outstanding views of San Diego. There are
available free taped commentaries in English or Spanish which provide background
color for the views. The interior of the Center has also undergone some
changes over the years. One of the changes that I noticed this year [after not
having visited in about 3 years] was the loss of the static tidepool display in
the corner. It has given way to a small TV/VCR stand with about 20 chairs for
presentation. Actually, that was an improvement since the tidepool display was
starting to look scruffy. As a result of the changes, the lighthouse fresnel
lens was moved from the west side of the Center to the east side where it gets
better light to show off. Missing from the lens display, however, are some of
the partial top and bottoms rings that used to be on display. One other major
change that I noticed was that the fountain display that used to run alongside
the entrance to the Visitor Center has been removed and replaced with a flower
bed. I realize that the plants are easier to maintain but I sure miss the
refreshing tinkle of the fountains.
One
of the attractions to the park has been that it is one of places where one can
see the annual migration of the whales without having to go out on a boat. The
number of sightings have been down over the last few years because the whales
are migrating further out to sea. The Park Service erected a whale-watching
display southwest of the lighthouse. It has windows to protect guest from the
cold and wet wind that often blows by during migration seasons. By the way, I
don't remember the sculpture when I last visited 2 or 3 years ago.
When I first came to the Point back in the 70s, there was a parking lot just south of the lighthouse. It has been completely removed and native flora of the area has been put in. Also noteworthy is the amount of WPA rockwork from the 30s still exists in the park.
Visit the Cabrillo National Monument's official webpage by clicking here.
This page was last updated on 12/06/1998. Address: https://members.tripod.com/~m_nelson/cabrillo.htm
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